Molecular Biology Problem Solver

Most research in the life sciences involves a core set of molecular-based equipment and methods, for which there is no shortage of step-by-step protocols. Nonetheless, there remains an exceedingly high number of inquiries placed to commercial technical support groups, especially regarding problems. Molecular Biology Problem Solver: A Laboratory Guide asks the reader to consider crucial questions, such as: Have you selected the most appropriate research strategy? Have you identified the issues critical to your successful application of a technique? Are you familiar with the limitations of a given technique? When should common procedural rules of thumb not be applied? What strategies could you apply to resolve a problem? A unique question-based format reviews common assumptions and laboratory practices, with the aim of offering a firm understanding of how techniques and procedures work, as well as how to avoid problems. Some major issues explored by the book's expert contributors include: Working safely with biological samples and radioactive materials; DNA and RNA purification; PCR; Protein and nucleid acid hybridisation; Prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems; Properly using and maintaining laboratory equipment.

Planning for success in the lab (P. Franciskovich); getting what you need from a supplier (T. Tyre); the preparation of buffers and other solutions - a chemist's perspective (E. Pfannkoch); how to properly use and maintain laboratory equipment (T. Troutman, et al.); working safely with biological samples (C. Haidaris); working safely with radioactive materials (W. Volny); DNA purification (S. Herzer); RNA purification (T. Smith, et al.); restriction enzymes (D. Robinson, et al.); nucleotides, oligonucleotides, and polynucleotides (A. Gerstein); PCR (K. Aoyagi); electrophoresis (M. Booz); western blotting (P. Riis); nucleic acid hybridization (S. Herzer & D. Englert); prokaryotic expression systems (P. Bell); eukaryotic expression systems (J. Trill, et al.).